Engine



Feb. 4, 1947.

w. G. GERNANDT Bumm Filed Juize 7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 4, 1947.

w. G. GERNANb-r ENGINE Filed June '7, 1945 :s sneeis-speetwz s le L' 4 5M a w W Feb. 4, 1947.4 .w G, GERNANDT 2,415,130

ENGINE Filed June 7, 1945 S'Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 4, 1947 ENGINE Waldo G. Gemanat, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Briggs Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 7, 1945, serial No. 598,129

l This invention relates to internal combustion engines of the rotary valve type and particularly `t an engine of this kind in which the combustible mixture or fuel charge is red by the heat of compression.

` The present invention has particular application to an internal combustion engine of the kind in which the rotatable valve in the head,

preferably although not necessarily of the kind which rotates continuouslyin one direction, is formed with substantially all or at least the major portion of the combustion chamber and is generally conical or frusto-conical in shape. The combustion chamber within the rotor or rotary valve has an Opening at one end leading to the 24 claims. (ci- 12s-vso) tion of the mixture by the heat of compression.

A further object of the invention is to provide' .an engine having a rotatable valve, preferably of generally conical form, formed with a. combustion cylinder and a, second openingA preferably at a side thereof adapted to communicate during operation with an outlet or inlet passage, or both, as the case may be, and the combustible charge is red in improved manner `by compressing the same sumciently to raise the same to ignition 4 temperature are accomplished in improved manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an engine having a rotatable valve,gpreferably of the frustolconical type, formed with a combustion chamber and a side port adapted to communicate at a predetermined time in the compression stroke of the piston with an injector or pump cylinder, the improved construction and operation being such that a compressed charge of fuel and air, intimately mixed, is produced in the injector cylinder by-the piston during a, portion of its compression stroke and thereafter the mixture isv raised to ignition temperature by the coordinated action of the piston and the compression stroke of the injector plunger, thereby causing the ring of the mixture to be initiated in they injector cylinder with flame propagation and expansion of gases progressing rapidly without detonation through the valve side port into the valve combustion chamber.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pump or injector device associated with the combustion chamber in a rotatable frustoconical engine valve and operative to augment the compressive action of the engine piston on l the mixture within the injector' cylinder or chamber to an extent necessary to induce ignichamber and a side port communicable at a given time during the compression stroke of the engine piston with an injection or pump chamber into which fuel has previously been drawn or intro-v duced and within which a fuel and air mixture is produced by the compression stroke of the piston, the injection chamber having a :reciprocable plunger actuated in improved and novel manner by cam mechanism operated from the valve drive means and so timed as to cause the plunger to augment*I the compressive action of the engine piston, with the result that the mixture will be red by .the heat developed consequent to the conjoint compressive action of the engine piston and plunger.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the-following description and appended claims. reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, taken through lines l-l of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating a portion of a multicylinder engine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially through lines 2--2 of Fig. 1 looking in .the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken substan-l tially through lines 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially through lines 4 6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of lines B-B of Fig. 1 looking in Ithe direction of the arrows.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in .the accompanying drawings, since the employed in any given engine.

invention is capable oi other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in Ivarious ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In* the 4drawings there is illustrated, by way of example, oney embodiment of the present invention as applied to an internal combustion'engine `of the Diesel type which may be used for the of the` engine are substantially identical totheV structure herein shown and described.

Referring. to Fig. 1, the present engine comprises a suitable crankcase (not shown) carrying a cylinder I8 within which a piston I I is mounted for reciprocation. According' to vconventional practice the engine is provided with a crankshaft supported in suitable bearings in the crankcase and the piston is connected to the crankshaft by a connecting rod.

In the present embodiment the lengine is illustrated as being of the liquid cooled type and, accordingly, the cylinder I is mounted within a cylinder jacket I2, the lower end oi which is secured-to the crankcase. The cylinder jacket with the chamber I8. Interposed between the skirtportion I6 of the cylinder and the Jacket .I2 is a sealing ring I8 whichgis heldunder compression to provide aliquid tight seal against the leakage of the coolant from the communieating chambers I3 and I1.

Mounted for reciprocation within the bore or chamber 28 'of the cylinder 29 is a plunger 3l, which in its fully projected position asillustrated'in Fig. 7, is adapted to extend nearly to the innerend of the chamber. In order not to blockoif the passage 21- and to maintain this passage in communication lwith 'the cylinder bore at `all times, the inner end'of the plunger II is cut away at Illa.. v

The inner end of the cylinder barrel 29 is drilled to provide a passage 3,2 communicating with an enlarged chamber 33 which is 4formed with a tapered valve seat engaged by a valve 84 which, in Fig..7, is shown positioned to cioseofi the passage 32. The valve 34 is provided-with a valve stem 34a ntting into the passage 82 and centrally drilled to form a passage 85 communicating with the chamber 88 by means' of ducts 36. With this construction it will be seen 'that when the valve- 34 is withdrawn from its seat communication between the passage 35 and chamber 28 will be established through the ducts 36 and valve chamber 83.- 'I'he valve 34 and its A stem 34a are permitted limited'longitudinal travel `for opening and closing movement oi'thevalve' by means of a pin 31 projecting within an annular cates with a small chamber 38 in the cylinder head into which leads a drilled passage 38 enlarged and tapped at its outer end to receive the threaded end of a pipe or tube 48 connected to a suitable sourceof'fuel.

. The outer end of the injector plunger 8| is machined to provide opposed slots or grooves 4I within which is anchored the bifurcated end of a spring bar 42 rigidly secured to one arm 43a of a bell crank lever 43 pivotally mounted on a transverse pin 44 secured within a recessed boss I4a of thecylinder head, as-seen in Figs. 1 and 2.- The end of the arm 43a ofthe bell crank is maintainedin constant engagement with the outer end .The portion of the cylinder head-immediately I 4above the piston II is formed with a generallyv truste-conical cavity or recess I9 within which is rotatably mounted a generally frusta-conical ,valve 20, it being understoodthat the outer tapering wall of the valve corresponds generally to the shape of the juxtaposed wall of the cavity I9. lThe valve 20 'is provided with a combustion chamber 2| having a centrally disposed bottom annular port 22 arranged in constant communication with the cylinder and also provided with -a side port 23. The Vcylinder head, as illustrated in Fig. 6, is formed with circumferentially spaced Aexhaust and air intake ports 24 and 26 respectively, theport 24 communicating with an ex- .haust conduit 24a and the port 25 communicating with an air intake conduit 25a. At the opposite side of the cylinder head cavity I9 from the ports 24 and 25 the cylinder head is 'formed with a'. relatively smaller fuel injector or ignition of the injector plunger 3i.

The upper arm 43h of the bell crank has a slot 45 to receive a cam roller 46 rotatably mounted or .iournalled'on a pin 41 secured to the arm 43h of the bell crank.V Interpos'ed between the lower arm 43a of `the bell cranklever and a'recessed portion oi' the cylinder head isa compression spring 48 which at all times tends to urge the arm 43a outwardly toward the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. '1. It will be seen -that when the bell crank is rotated from the dotted line position to the fullline position in Fig. 1 the injector plunger 3I will be shifted inwardly by virtue of the positive engagement of the bell crankarm with the end of the plunger. Reverse movement of the bell crank is accomplished by the compression spring 48 and is transmitted to the plunger 3| through the m'edium of the bifurcated spring bar 42.

The mechanism above described for. actuating the injector device is housed within the recessed portion 49.0! the cylinder head boss I4a. Access boss I4a is provided with a side opening for access to the injector mechanism, which opening is normally closed by means of a'v closure plate l2 removably secured in position by means of screwsV v 53.

The cam roller 48 is maintained in constant engagement with the peripheral edge of a cam 54 which in the, present instance is in the iorm of a ring or plate centrally apertured and fitting position of the cam ring -54 to be adjusted cir' cumferentially with respect to'the cam roller 46 thereby advancing or retarding the time of operation of the injector plunger 3|. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the cam supporting ring or carrier 55 is formed with an annular upwardly extending flange 58 between which and an annular depending boss 80 of the cover plate 50 is interposed a ball bearing race 59. The cam supporting ring 55 is supported upon the upper face of a ring gear 5|, being riveted thereto at 62. I'his gear has a depending marginal nange Sia projecting .into a circular recess in the top of the cylinder head and supported for rotation therein by means of a ball bearing race 63. The gear 5| is provided with teeth 5l meshing with the teeth of a gear 65 secured `to a tower shaft 65 journalled in the cylinder head and connected at its lower end by suitable gearing with the crankshaft of the engine so as to drive the gear 6| at one half crankshaft speed. The ring gear 6| has a splined connection at 51 with a recessed coupling member 58 embracing the upwardly projecting stem a of the valve 20 and havinga splined connection 69 therewith. Overlyingthe upper` end of the stem 20a is a spring retainer 10 between which and a spring retainer 1| mounted within the coupling 68 is a compression spring 12. The

spring retainer 10 is rigidlyl secured to the upper end of the valve stem by the overlapping head of a stud 13 having a threaded stem 13a screwed into a tapped hole in the upper end of the valve stem.

With the valve 20 and cam 54 rotating in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 the valve side port 23 will register with the exhaust port 2| during the exhaust stroke of the piston I I, and thereafter will register with the intake port 25 during the intake stroke of the piston, thus drawing air into the combustion chamber 2|, During this period when the cam roller 45 is in engagement with the low arcuate surface 54a of the cam 5l the bell crank lever will be held by spring 48 in the dotted line position of Fig. 1 with the injector plunger 3| retracted and a charge of fuel drawn into the chamber 28.' Continued rotation of the mence to uncover the injection orifice at a given point in the upwardtravel of the piston during its compression stroke, such for example ,at approximately before top dead center. As soon as the orice is uncovered compressed air within the combustion chamber 2| will be forced by the piston through passage 26a and duct 21 into the injector chamber 28, the plunger 3| remaining retracted for an interval of time as this action occurs. At the time the valve port uncovers the orifice 26 there exists a partial vacuum within the injector chamber 28, and as the hot air is forced into this chamber considerable turbulence is created therein which aids materially in producing a very thorough and intimate mixing of the air and fuel in the chamber. Of course it will be understood that the pressure of the air forced into the injector chamber closes the check valve 34 and maintains it tightly in engagement Valve.

` with its seat. The pressure created within the injector chamber during this period of compression and creation of'a fuel mixture will raise ap' preciably the temperature of the mixture..

At preferably a few degrees before top dead center the cam roller engages inclined cam surface 54h on the cam 54, resulting in forcing the roller outwardly, rocking the bell crank lever .43, and shifting the end 43a thereof inwardly or to the left in Fig. 1. This operation forces the 'injector plunger 3| inwardly to thel positionshown inFig. 7 thereby further compressing the mixture inthe chamber 2B; this action being carried out in coordination with the piston Il as the latter comes to the end of its compression stroke. This additional compression of the fuel mixture accomplished by the action of the plunger will build up the pressure in the injector chamber and raise the temperature of the mixture to a point above ignition temperature thereby causing the mixture to be fired by the heat of compression. The pressure and temperature at this time within the injector vchamber will be greater than within the combustion chamber 2| due to the restricted or small size of the duct 21. Combustion of the fuel mixture is thus initiated within the injector chamber and expansion of gases as well as rapid flame propagation proceeds through passage 26a, orice 25. and valve side port 23 into the combustion chamber 2| in the During the power stroke of the piston, and while the valve side port maintains the orifice 28 uncovered the camroller 46 engages the -arcuate surface 54e of the cam, thus holding the injector plunger 3| in its full inward position shown in Fig. 7. When the valve side port passes beyond the orifice 25 and the latter is then closed or covered by the side wall of the valve, the cam roller travels down onto the low arcuate surface 54a of the cam permitting the spring 48 to rock the bell crank leverand the injector plunger to be retracted by member 42. Retraction of the plunger ,opens by suction the check valve 34 and draws into the injector chamber a controlled amount of liquid fuel in amount appreciably less sition. From this point the cycle of operationsabove described is repeated. v

The injector mechanism in conjunction with the cone-type rotary valve provides an engine which will operate with a high degree of emciency and economy while utilizing a variety of inexpensive hydrocarbon fuels. -No increase in the compression ratio is required in order to fire the fuel charge by the heat of compression, and in fact eillcient combustion is obtainable with `a compression ratio not exceeding twelve to one.

ber to a pressure greater than the pressure in` i said combustion chamber.

2. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, a valve associated with said cylinder and having `a combustion'J chamber and a port communicating therewith, a fuel mixing chamber adapted to communicate intermittently withv said combustion chamber through said valve port during operation of the valve, and a reciprocable plunger operative at a predetermined time during theA `compressionstroke ofthe piston when said valve port is in communication with said mixing chamber for compressing a fuel mixture in said mixing chamber to a pressure greater than the pressure in said combustion chamber.

7. In an internal `combustion engine,` a cylinder -having a reciprocable piston therein, a valve having a combustion chamber in constant communication with said cylinder and also having 3. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, a cylin der head, a valve in Asaid head associated with the cylinder and having a combustion chamber and a side port communicating therewith, a fuel' 4. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, a valve having a combustion chamber in constant communication with said cylinder and alsohaving a side port, a fuel chamber, a passage including a restricted portion' leading from said fuel chammr to the valve and communicating with the combustion chamber through said side port during a portion of the compression stroke of the piston whereby a compressed fuel mixture is formed insaid fuel chamber, and means for additionally compressing said mixture within said fuel chamber to a point greater than the pressure in the combustion chamber thereby to induce combustion thereof of said mixture. A

V 5. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, a -valve having a combustion chamber in constant communication withv said cylinder and also having a side port,a fuel chamber, a passageleading from said fuel chamber to the valve and communicating with the combustion chamber through said side port during al portion of the compression stroke j ing. with the combustion chamber through said 4 having a combustion chamber in constant coma. side port, a fuel chamber, a passage leading from said fuel chamber to the valve and communicating with the combustion chamber through said side port during a portion of the compression stroke of the piston whereby a compressed fuel mixture is formed in said fuel cham'- ber, a. reciprocable plunger in said fuel chamber adapted to' draw .fuel into the chamber during one stroke thereof and to compress the fuel mixture therein to a pressure greater than .thepres- -sure in said combustion chamber' during the opposite stroke thereof, and means for reciprocating said plunger.

8. In an internal combustion engine, a. cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, a valve having a combustion chamber in constant communication with said cylinder and also having a side port, a fuel chamber, a passage leading from said fuel-chamber to the valve and communicatside port during a portion of the compression stroke of the piston whereby a compressed fuel mixture is formed in said fuel chamber, a reciprocableplunger in said fuel chamber adapted to draw fuel into the Vchamber during one stroke thereof and to compress the fuel mixtureL therein to a pressure greater than th'e .pressure in said 4combustion chamber during the opposite strokev thereof, and means drivingly connected to the valve for reciprocating said plunger.

9. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder having a reciprocable .piston therein, a valve munication with said cylinder and also having a port communicating with said chamber, a fuel chamber, means for rotating said valve to bring l said valve port into communication with said of the piston whereby a compressed fuel mixture e, is formed in said fuel chamber, a reciprocable plunger in said fuel chamber, and means for shifting Asaid plunger to additionally compress the mixture ,within said fuel chamber and induce combustion thereof by the heat of compression.

6. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, a valve having a combustion chamber in constant com- -munication with said cylinder and also having pressed fuel mixture is formed n said fuel chamber, a reciprocable plunger in id fuel chamber, and means drivingly connected to said valve for shifting said plunger to additionally compress the mixture within said fuel chamber and induce combustion thereof by the heat of compression.

fuel chamber during a portion of the compression stroke of the piston whereby a charge of compressed air is forced into said fuel chamber from the combustion'chamber. and a compressed fuel mixture produced therein, and means for additlonally compressing said fuel/mixture within said fuel chamber to a pressure greater than the pressure in said combustion chamber while said valve port is in communication therewith.

10. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder having a reciprocable piston therein, a rotatable valve having a combustion chamber in constant communication with said cylinder and also having a port communicating with said chamber, a fuel chamber, means for rotating said valve to bring said valve port into communication with said fuel chamber during a ,portion of the compression stroke of the piston whereby a charge of compressed air is forced into said fuel chamber from the combustion chamber and a compressedfuel mixture produced therein, and means including a reciprocable plunger for additionally compressing said fuel mixture within said fuel chamber to a pressure greater than the pressure in said combustion chamber while said valve port is in communication therewith.

1l. In an internal combustion engine, a cylin. der having a reciprocable piston therein, a rotatable valve having a combustion chamber in constant communication with said cylinder and also having .a port communicating with said chamber, a fuel chamber, means for rotating said valve to bring said valve port into communication with said fuel chamber during a portion of the comlcating'plunger for compressing a fuel, mixture in said fuel chamber to a pressure greater than the pressure'in said combustion chamber.- f

20. In an .internal combustion engine having a cylinder and a reciprocable piston therein, a .cylinder head having' a recess, a rotatable valve in said recess formed with `a combustion chamber l f opening into the cylinder and provided witha side port communicating vwith said chamber, a fuel chambervin said cylinder head at one side of the valve, a restricted passage leading from said fuel chamber to said recess, means for rotating said valve to register said lside port and psage during the compression stroke of the piston, and means operated from said valve rotating means for compressing a fuel mixture in said fuel `chamber to a pressure greater than the pressure in said combustion chamber.

21. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder and a reciprocable piston therein, a

cylinder headhaving a recess, a rotatable valve in said recess formed with a combustion chamber opening into the cylinder and provided with a side port communicating'wlth said chamber, a

fuel chambervin said cylinder headat one side of the valve, a passage leading from vsaid fuel chamber to said recess, means for rotating said` j aclaran 23. an internal combustion engine having a cylinder anda reciprocableipistonfthereimoa ,Y

cylinder headhaving a recess,'a rotatable valve' in` said recess formed with a combustion chamber Opening intothe cylinder and 'provided with a side port communicating with said chamber, a

fuel chamber in said cylinder head atoneside Y of thevalve, a passage leading'from said fuel vchamber to said recess, means for rotating said valve to register said side portA and passage during the compression stroke of the piston, and means in said fuel chamber for compressing a fuel mixture therein while said side port and paSSge are vin communication with each other. e

24. In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder and a reciprocable piston therein, a

" cylinder head having a recess, a valve in said recess formed with a combustion chamber o ',ing intothe cylinder and provided with a side DO I communicating with said chamber, a fuel chamber in said cylinderihead at one side oi the l' valve, a passage leading from said fuel chamber valve to register said side port and passage during the compression stroke of the piston, a reciproeating plunger for compressing a fuel mixture -in said fuel chamber to a pressure greater than to -said recess, means for operating said valve to register said side port and passage during the compression stroke of the piston, and means in said fuel chamber for compressing a fuel mixture therein to a pressure greater-,than the pressure in said combustion chamber while said side port and passageare in' communication with each other, said last named means adapted to draw fuel'into said fuel chamber when said side port the pressure in said combustion chamber, and

means including a dam operated from said valve rotating means for reciprocating said plunger.

22. In an'internai combustion engine lhaving acylinder and a reciprocable piston therein, a cylinder head having a recess, a rotatable lvalve in said recess formed with. a combustion chamber opening vinto the cylinder and provided with'a side port communicating with said chamber, a fuel chamber in said cylinder head at one .side

asf

,and passageare out of communication with each other. l

REFERENCES errno The following references are of record in the yfile of this patent: i

of the valve, ,a passage leading from said fuelv chamber-to said recess, means for rotating vsaid valve to lbring said side port into communication l with said'passage during a portion of the coinp'ression'stroke of the piston,r and means in said i fuel chamber operative during succeeding portion of said compression stroke for compressing a fuel mixture therein to a greaterpressure than the all:

Number Name Date 878,934 Brady Feb.v 11, 1908 /1,079,422 McKetchnie Nov. 25, 1913 1,026,871 Lake May 21, 1912 45 1,238,560 offemc Aug. 2a, 1917 2,327,470 Tjaarda Aug. 24, 1943 2,331,801 Rodgers Oct. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENTS pressurein said combustion chamber, thereby to m re the mixture by the heat of compression.-

WALDO G.- GERNANDT.

Truxell Jan. 24,- 1939 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,415,130. February 4, 1947.

WALDO G. GERNANDT It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specicaton of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 7, line 43, claim 4, strike out the Word thereof; column 12, line 3, claim 23, strike out rotatable; line 8, same claim, after passage" insert having a restricted portion; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of October, A. D. 1947.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

